On the farm: Padres position rankings

We all know what the Padres’ farm system produces will have a lot do with the franchise’s direction. Here’s a look at how the Padres’ minor leaguers stack up at each position grouping:

STARTING PITCHERS

Padres general manager Josh Byrnes isn’t dishing out hyperbole when he says the organization’s depth in starting pitching is now a strength. The projected ace (Andrew Cashner) is just 27 years old, the next up-and-comer (Tyson Ross) might have just as much upside, Ian Kennedy is just three seasons removed from a 21-win season and more talent is on the way. Some of that talent is coming off the disabled list (Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland, cross your fingers) and some is about to burst onto the scene.

Lowdown: With a fastball that reaches the upper 90s, a big curveball and a deceptive changeup, the 6-foot-3 Wisler took the biggest step forward among all of the Padres’ pitching prospects. He needed just six starts to get out of the California League, dominated the Texas League and is ticketed to start the 2014 season in Triple-A – if the Padres don’t find room for him in their rotation to start the year. The Padres’ brass doesn’t believe that’s unthinkable either. Although the Padres could trade some pitching prospects for help around the diamond, Wisler might have entered untouchable territory with his breakout 2013 campaign.

Lowdown: Although the 6-foot-4 Fried didn’t match Matt Wisler’s success in his first full year of pro ball, some in the organization would still slot Fried ahead of him based on projection alone. The left-hander pitches at 90-91 mph and shows both a plus curve and a plus changeup. His only real downfall so far has been a tendency to nibble over trusting his stuff. Look for him in Lake Elsinore next April.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Burch Smith works against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
— AP

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Burch Smith works against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
/ AP

Lowdown: Stellar in the minors, Smith ran hot and cold during his brief time with the Padres. A high-90s fastball helped him average 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings, but he pitched six innings or more just twice in seven starts, largely because he battled his command. He’ll be in the mix for a rotation spot next spring.

Lowdown: Despite posting a 7.11 ERA in nine starts in the Pacific Coast League after dominating Double-A San Antonio, the Padres are believers in Sampson. He’ll be protected on the 40-man roster this offseason and could eventually move his 95-mph fastball/changeup combo to the bullpen, where he pitched in the Arizona Fall League.

Joe Ross has the world in front of him, it seems, as a teenage top prospect for the Padres.
Jeremy Knop

Joe Ross has the world in front of him, it seems, as a teenage top prospect for the Padres.

Lowdown: Tyson Ross’ little brother stands at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds and boasts both a mid-90s fastball, a power breaking ball and changeup – all of which could be above average.

MASH UNIT

Tommy John surgeries derailed two of the Padres’ top pitching prospects going into the season, RHP Casey Kelly and RHP Joe Wieland, in 2013, forcing them out of the top five. Where they end up in the Padres’ plans will be determined by what they do when they get back on a mound in the spring.

RELIEF PITCHERS

Brad Brach, Brad Boxberger and Miles Mikolas have had about two seasons to make their mark in the Padres’ bullpen. This spring could be key for all three because there is some thought that some of the high-ceiling relievers in the system could be pushing those guys for their job next year.

Lowdown: The Padres will give the 6-foot-2 Venezuelan every chance to start, but after an injury-riddled 2013, a move to the bullpen might make sense. His upper-90s fastball certain will play well there if he can’t improve his command beyond the 70 walks he issued in 126 2/3 innings in 2012.

Lowdown: Not all minor league closers develop into dependable late-inning options, but the Padres think they have something in Quackenbush, who has recorded 44 saves the last two seasons. He doesn’t have a wipeout breaking ball – of course, neither did Trevor Hoffman – but Quackenbush is developing a split-fingered fastball to go with a four-seamer that he throws in the mid-90s.

Lowdown: There’s some thought that Campos could break camp with a bullpen job with the Padres this spring after he struck out 14.2 batters per nine innings while jumping from the Midwest League to the Texas League. With a high-90s fastball, all Campos needs is consistency out of his plus slider to take a big leap forward.

Lowdown: Young for the Cal League last year, Barbato took his lumps a year after posting a 1.84 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in the Midwest League. Still, there’s a lot to like with a 94 mph fastball and potential a plus curve.

Lowdown: The TinCaps’ closer averaged 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings, boasting a low 90s fastball to go with a plus slider that some Padres brass has likened to Luke Gregerson’s. Harnessing some consistency is the key to taking a step forward.

CATCHERS

The Padres have arguably the game’s top catching prospect nearly ready to push Yasmani Grandal and Nick Hundley for a job – maybe as soon as next year. It’s a good thing, too, because the system is a bit light on projectable catchers behind their top prospect at the position.

Lowdown: The Padres lured Hedges away from UCLA with $3 million signing bonus and have watched the 6-foot-1, 190-pound backstop develop into one of the game’s best catch-and-throw prospects. With some pop in his bat that has yet to fully develop, Hedges will have every opportunity to develop into an All-Star catcher. Look for him to start the year at Double-A to build on last year’s .224 / .297 / .269 showing over 20 games there.

Lowdown: A converted infielder from the Netherlands, the 5-foot-11 Daal showed off some of his pop last year in the Midwest League. He’s got a strong arm, but his receiving game needs some work to truly take off as a catcher.

Lowdown: The Hemet native boasts a big-time arm to go with a lot of raw ability that he’s yet to truly tap into. Still, the Padres thought enough of Miller to start the junior college draftee at Short-Season Eugene last year.

Lowdown: The University of Portland product doesn’t project as much more than a backup and he won’t find a whole lot playing time again if he’s back in the Texas League with Austin Hedges.

CORNER INFIELDERS

Here’s another incentive to want to keep Chase Headley around a few more years: The Padres aren’t especially deep at third and first base and what talent they do have isn’t close to the major leagues. In fact, outside of Tommy Medica – who impressed the Padres’ big-league staff in September – the majority of the Padres’ top corner infield prospects spent 2013 in rookie leagues.

Lowdown: Once a highly-touted catching prospect, shoulder injuries have forced a position change, although the Padres hope Medica’s arm strength will return enough to eventually allow him to become a super utility player capable of providing depth off the bench at catcher, first base and the corner outfield spots. His bat, of course, is powerful enough to play at first base and Medica gave the big league staff a glimpse of that potential during a late-season call-up. It should be noted, however, that Medica has not helped his case this offseason with a .129/.217/.161 effort in the Arizona Fall League.

Lowdown: A high school shortstop whom some Padres officials liked more than older brother D.J. – the 12th overall selection in the same draft – Peterson has already made the move to third base. He projects as an average defender there with a good combination of power and average at the plate, although he showed very little pop in the Arizona Rookie League right after signing.

Lowdown: A Chula Vista native drafted out of an Arizona junior college in 2012, Perez has been limited to 77 games due to injuries since the Padres brought him into the system. He’ll go as far as his bat takes him and there’s plenty of room to grow after slashing .224/.280/.332 last year.

Lowdown: When the Padres signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, Belen was considered the top offensive third baseman available on the international market. The defense is below average, but he’s yet to play an inning as an adult so there’s plenty of time to round out the rough edges of his game.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS

Everth Cabrera’s season-ending suspension over the summer served as a reminder that the Padres don’t have an obvious heir apparent at shortstop. At least not on the immediate horizon. However, they’ve brought in a number of intriguing prospects over the last few years through both the draft (Jace Peterson, Josh Van Meter) and the international market (Franchy Cordero). The Padres’ top pick in 2011, Cory Spangenberg, also remains a prospect at second base.

The Lake Elsinore Storm's Jace Peterson hits a two run single for the game's first runs. They went on to beat the Inland Empire 66ers, 3-0.
— Charlie Neuman / U/T San Diego

The Lake Elsinore Storm's Jace Peterson hits a two run single for the game's first runs. They went on to beat the Inland Empire 66ers, 3-0.
— Charlie Neuman / U/T San Diego

Lowdown: A plus athlete, the 6-foot, 205-pound Peterson has developed into a prototypical leadoff hitter who shows flashes of pop. He has raised his average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage with each methodical climb through the system and is poised to take on the Texas League next. He’s an average defender at shortstop, but the Padres don’t anticipate having to move him off the position any time soon.

May 5, 2013, Lake Elsinore, California_ USA_| Lake Elsinore Storm's Cory Spangenberg watches his line drive head down the first-base line for a triple in the 8th inning against the Inland Empire 66ers on Sunday.|_Mandatory Photo Credit: Photo by Don Boomer/UT San Diego/Copyright 2012 San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC

May 5, 2013, Lake Elsinore, California_ USA_| Lake Elsinore Storm's Cory Spangenberg watches his line drive head down the first-base line for a triple in the 8th inning against the Inland Empire 66ers on Sunday.|_Mandatory Photo Credit: Photo by Don Boomer/UT San Diego/Copyright 2012 San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC

Lowdown: Although blocked at second base at the moment by Jedd Gyorko (perhaps pending Chase Headley’s offseason developments), Spangenberg possesses impact speed to go along with plus bat speed and average power. He’s an impressive athlete who figures to find a spot in San Diego – or somewhere in the majors – soon. Again, watch the Padres’ offseason moves: A long-term deal for Headley would anchor Gyorko at second base and make Spangenberg expendable.

Lowdown: This is a long-term project, but the Padres’ brass love the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Cordero’s high-ceiling potential. Scouts are projecting an up-tick in the gap power he produces out of a smooth left-handed swing, while his hands, range and arm will give him a chance to become an above-average defender at shortstop. This might be the biggest mover and shaker among the Padres’ prospects in 2014.

Lowdown: The Padres could have a lot of talent at Fort Wayne this year with Dustin Peterson at third, Franchy Cordero at shortstop and Van Meter at second base as an average defender with desirable on-base skills. At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, power doesn’t figure to be ever become a big part of his game, but the Padres see him as a solid all-around prospect at the position.

Lowdown: The Padres signing Ronny Cedeno over bringing up Anna clearly showed that the Padres don’t view Anna as anything but an AAAA-kinda player. He knows the strike zone and swings an OK bat, but he doesn’t have the range to cover a middle infield position in the majors over a long period of time. Still, it’s hard to ignore Anna leading the Pacific Coast League in hitting last year.

CORNER OUTFIELDERS

Outside of Jedd Gyorko last year and Chase Headley’s 2012 season, the Padres farm system hasn’t introduced a lot of impact, power bats to the major league lineup over the years. This position group has a chance to change that trend – and soon. Read on …

Right fielder Rymer Liriano, pictured before blowing out his right elbow, may still turn out to be the first jewel out of the Padres' baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. K.C. Alfred • u-t

Right fielder Rymer Liriano, pictured before blowing out his right elbow, may still turn out to be the first jewel out of the Padres' baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. K.C. Alfred • u-t

Lowdown: Although reconstructive elbow surgery cost Liriano all of the 2013 season, the Padres fully believe he’ll bounce right back to being the legit, five-tool prospect they envisioned when they signed the 6-foot, 225-pound athlete out of the Dominican Republic. His plus bat speed should lead to more power down the road, although improved plate discipline is a must for Liriano to fully realize his potential. He had a 119-to-41 strikeout ratio in 127 games between the California League and Texas League in 2012, when he slashed .280/.350/.417. He also swiped 32 bases that season. Look for Liriano to restart his career at Double-A San Antonio this spring.

The Padres selected outfielder Hunter Renfroe with their first pick in the 2013 draft.

The Padres selected outfielder Hunter Renfroe with their first pick in the 2013 draft.

Lowdown: The Padres’ latest first-round pick didn’t waste time making an impression, slashing .308/.333/.510 in the Northwest League to earn a quick promotion to Fort Wayne. Like Rymer Liriano, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Renfroe profiles as a five-tool right fielder who could move quickly after his breakout year as a junior at Mississippi State. He’ll start the season in the California League, where his impact raw power could really soar in the hitter-friendly circuit. Take cover in Adelanto and Lancaster.

In the last innings of the game suspended from Thursday the Storm's Yeison Asencio hits a homerun. Storm won, 2-0.
— Charlie Neuman / U/T San Diego

In the last innings of the game suspended from Thursday the Storm's Yeison Asencio hits a homerun. Storm won, 2-0.
— Charlie Neuman / U/T San Diego

Lowdown: The 6-foot-, 225-pound Dominican also profiles as a hit-and-throw right fielder who won a Midwest League batting title two years ago. He doesn’t figure to have as much power as the first two outfielders on the list, but the Padres like him enough to have him on the 40-man roster alongside Rymer Liriano.

Lowdown: The lean 6-foot-3 Mexico native showcased big-time pop by leading his league in homers in his second year in the Padres system. He also boasts a strong throwing arm, but fanned 54 times in 49 games last year.

Lowdown: Baltz flourished in his first full year in the system out of St. John’s University, even improving plate discipline after an early promotion from the Midwest League (.313 OBP) to the California League (.370 OBP). It would seem that a call to Double-A to start the year is in order.

CENTER FIELDERS

Ideally, the Padres open the season with speedy Cameron Maybin roaming center field. That hasn’t worked out much of late, leaving Will Venable and Chris Denorfia as a more than capable fill-ins. Beyond them, the Padres have a number of speedy options they are grooming for roomy centerfield at Petco Park.

San Diego Padres' Reymond Fuentes, left, scores on a single by Alexi Amarista against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
— AP

San Diego Padres' Reymond Fuentes, left, scores on a single by Alexi Amarista against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
/ AP

Lowdown: More of an afterthought piece of the package that the Red Sox sent to the Padres for Adrian Gonzalez, Fuentes remains a prized prospect in the organization despite a less-than-stellar MLB debut in September. The 28th overall pick in 2009, Fuentes is a prototypical leadoff hitter who regained some of his luster in 2013 after slashing .218/.301/.302 in the Texas League in 2012.

Lowdown: Jankowski doesn’t hit for much power, but profiles as a plus-plus defender with plus-plus speed. After swiping 17 bases in 24 chances in 2012, the 6-foot-2 Jankowski went 71-for-85 on the bases in 2013 in the California League. Now that’s game-changing speed.

San Diego Padres outfielder Rico Noel misses the catch off a hit by the Netherlands' Roger Bernadina during the fifth inning in an exhibition spring training baseball game Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
— AP

San Diego Padres outfielder Rico Noel misses the catch off a hit by the Netherlands' Roger Bernadina during the fifth inning in an exhibition spring training baseball game Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
/ AP

Lowdown: The Padres believe they’ve got Petco Park-friendly center fielders at every stop in the minors and Noel’s range and defense rate as some of the best in the system. At the major league level, however, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Noel profiles as a pinch-runner/defensive replacement type.

Lowdown: Another plus runner with good defense, Smith’s walks (59) rivaled his strikeouts (84) in his first full season of professional ball. That’s a good sign as he tries to distinguish himself from a number of light-hitting center fielders in the system.

Lowdown: Although with just average speed and defense, Smith has a chance to develop a plus bat. A 6-foot-2, 195-pound high-schooler out of Meridian, Idaho, Smith managed 13 extra-base hits in his first 37 games of pro ball. Those 45 strikeouts, however, are something to keep an eye on.